Julia Ann "Judy Dyer" Gaines

Julia "Judy" Ann Dyer Gaines, 83, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on February 2, 2026 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Judy was loved by all who knew her.

A lifelong resident of Hall County, Judy was born on August 18, 1942 to the late Fletcher and Rosetta Dyer of Chicopee. She graduated from Gainesville High School in 1960 and attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Georgia until she got her MRS degree.

Judy married Terrell Gaines on August 5, 1962, and the Army posted the young couple to Germany and then Maryland where they had many adventures over the next six years. After they left the service, they came back home to Gainesville, started a family, and settled down as entrepreneurs. Judy and Terrell started Gaines Clothing and Fabric Store on Thompson Bridge Road, but Judy is best known as the heart and soul of Happy Pappy's Restaurant. She and her mother fed North Hall locals for almost 20 years, dishing out their famous cold banana pudding and warm smiles. She loved her customers, and they loved her. Among her favorite regulars were teachers from North Hall High School and the students who skipped school lunch for a quick trip to Happy Pappy's.

Judy enjoyed reading a good book and doing jigsaw puzzles. She will be missed by the Red Birds she loved watching and feeding in her yard. She adored being wife to Terrell, mother to Kerith and her son-in-law Jeff, and grandmother to Jessica, and her legacy is one of deep, abiding love and friendship for all who knew her. She was a member of Chicopee Baptist Church, Corinth Baptist Church, and finally First Baptist Church of Gainesville for the last 41 years of her life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Randall Dyer.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 63 years, Terrell Gaines of Murrayville; her daughter Kerith Gaines Smith (Jeff) and granddaughter Jessica Ann Smith of Comer; sister, Nancy Dyer Smith (Ed); nephews Chris Jones (Shannon) and Gary Gaines (Tracy); niece Gail Chester (David); and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3 pm in the chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, Georgia. The family will receive friends before the service from 1-3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your church or favorite charity.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

Send online condolences to memorialparkfuneralhomes.com